Common Medication Abbreviations
A reference guide to the Latin and English abbreviations commonly used on prescriptions, MAR charts, and in medication documentation in UK care homes.
Safety note: Many abbreviations come from Latin. If you are ever unsure about an abbreviation on a prescription or MAR chart, never guess— always check with the pharmacist, prescriber, or your organisation's medication policy. Mistaking one abbreviation for another (e.g. OD for QDS) could lead to a serious medication error.
Dose Frequency Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| OD | Once Daily |
| BD (b.d.) | Twice Daily (bis die) |
| TDS (t.d.s.) | Three Times Daily (ter die sumendus) |
| QDS (q.d.s.) | Four Times Daily (quater die sumendus) |
| STAT | Immediately |
| PRN | As Required (pro re nata) |
| OM | Every Morning |
| ON | Every Night |
| Mane | In the Morning |
| Nocte | At Night |
Route & Timing Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AC | Before Food (ante cibum) |
| PC | After Food (post cibum) |
| NBV | Nebulised |
| SL | Sublingual (under the tongue) |
| SC | Subcutaneous (under the skin) |
| IM | Intramuscular |
| IV | Intravenous |
| PR | Per Rectum (rectally) |
| PV | Per Vaginam (vaginally) |
| NG | Via Nasogastric Tube |
| PEG | Via PEG Tube |
| TOP | Topically (applied to skin) |
| INH | Inhaled / Inhaler |
| e/c | Enteric Coated |
| m/r | Modified Release |
| NP | Nil Per Os / Nothing by Mouth |
| SQ | Subcutaneous |
Form & Preparation Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| e/c | Enteric Coated — must not be crushed |
| m/r | Modified Release — must not be crushed or chewed |
| cap | Capsule |
| tab | Tablet |
| liq | Liquid / Solution |
| susp | Suspension — must be shaken before use |
| pess | Pessary |
| supp | Suppository |
| patch | Transdermal Patch |
| inj | Injection |
| inh | Inhaler |
| neb | Nebuliser |
| eff | Effervescent — must be dissolved in water |
| disp | Dispersible — can be dissolved in water |
| s/c | Sublingual — under the tongue |
Avoid Dangerous Abbreviations
The following abbreviations should never be used in medication documentation as they are frequently misinterpreted and have caused serious errors:
- U — write “units” in full (confused with 0 or 4)
- QD — write “OD” or “once daily” (QD confused with QID/four times daily)
- QOD — write “every other day” in full
- µg — write “micrograms” in full (µg confused with mg)
- NG tube — write “nasogastric tube” (confused with “no grade”)
- HS — write “at bedtime” (HS confused with half-strength)